Tanzania and Kenya have signed a five-year agreement to strengthen cooperation in potato production, seed supply, research and cross-border trade, in a move expected to address shortages of certified planting materials and unlock opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the Potato Council of Tanzania and the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries in developing their potato industries.
The agreement was signed on October 28, 2026, on the sidelines of the 13th World Potato Congress held in Naivasha, Kenya, from October 26 to 30.
It comes amid significant gaps in certified potato seed supply in both countries, limiting farmers' ability to increase productivity and meet growing market demand.
According to estimates presented during the discussions, Kenya requires about 150,000 tonnes of certified potato seeds annually but produces only 24,000 tonnes, leaving a deficit of 126,000 tonnes.
In Tanzania, certified seeds account for only about two per cent of total potato seed demand, highlighting the need for investment in local seed production and distribution systems.
The agreement was signed by Potato Council of Tanzania board member Abdalla Luvanda and NPCK chief executive officer Wachira Kaguongo.
It was witnessed by NPCK chairman Kimani Rugendo and Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT) Centre Head of Partnerships and Communication Tullah Mloge.
Mr Luvanda said the agreement would help address longstanding challenges in the potato value chain by promoting technology transfer, harmonising plant-health standards and connecting farmers to markets across the region.
"Our farmers across Tanzania's agricultural growth corridors have proven that potato farming is a serious, profitable business when driven by agricultural science, soil health and strong cooperatives. This MoU takes that momentum across national borders," he said.
He added that closer cooperation would help remove barriers to regional trade while improving access to quality planting materials.
"By uniting our efforts, we can dismantle the real bottlenecks: aligning phytosanitary standards, sharing seed technology and building direct market channels, so that East Africa's potato growers thrive together," he said.
The agreement focuses on four areas: exchange of knowledge and technology, quality standards and regulation, market access and trade linkages, and joint research and capacity building.
Under the first pillar, the councils will facilitate the sharing of improved production technologies, seed systems, post-harvest handling and storage practices.
This includes clean seed production technologies such as rooted cuttings, tissue culture and aeroponics, which could help expand the availability of healthy planting materials.
The second pillar will involve cooperation on seed certification, phytosanitary standards and quality assurance, while respecting the regulatory frameworks of each country.
In Tanzania, the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) and Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) will play relevant roles, while Kenya's Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) will support similar functions.
The third area seeks to connect agricultural marketing cooperative societies (AMCOS), farmers' organisations, processors and traders to markets in both countries.
The councils will also engage government authorities to facilitate dialogue on cross-border trade and address regulatory challenges affecting the movement of agricultural products.
Joint research, on-farm trials, digital market information systems, farmer training and exchange visits will form the fourth pillar.
The partnership comes as both countries seek to tap into the economic potential of potatoes, which have become an important source of food, income and employment across East Africa.
Kenya's National Agriculture Production Report 2025 indicates that Irish potato production reached 2.15 million tonnes in 2024, with a provisional production value of KES72.5 billion.
In Tanzania, the National Bureau of Statistics recorded 1.41 million tonnes of Irish potatoes during the 2024/25 agricultural year, with an average yield of 9.9 tonnes per hectare.
Mbeya and Njombe accounted for approximately 85.1 per cent of production by agricultural households, underscoring the importance of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) in the country's potato industry.
Despite the substantial production base, limited access to quality seeds remains a major constraint to productivity.
Expanding certified seed production, improving distribution networks and strengthening farmers' access to technical advice are therefore among the opportunities the agreement seeks to address.
Rooted apical cuttings and locally produced seed tubers are among the technologies identified as potential solutions.
These approaches allow specialised nurseries and seed multipliers to produce planting materials, while recognised quality-assurance systems can help ensure that farmers receive healthy seeds.
The councils also see opportunities in mechanisation, improved storage facilities, processing and stronger links between farmers and commercial buyers.
NPCK chief executive officer Wachira Kaguongo said countries with developed potato industries had invested in improved seeds, modern varieties, mechanisation, storage and agricultural research.
"Countries that have developed strong potato industries have invested in better seed, improved varieties, mechanisation, storage and research," he said.
The partnership also highlights the importance of government involvement in creating an environment that supports private investment and agricultural innovation.
Public institutions are expected to contribute through research, extension services, quality regulation and market oversight, while private-sector players can invest in seed production, processing, storage and distribution.
Speaking at the signing, Mr Rugendo urged African countries to move beyond signing agreements and focus on implementing commitments that benefit farmers and businesses.
"Let us not allow the agreements we have signed here today to gather dust. Let us put them into action," he said.
He called on African delegates to ensure that potato development becomes a national priority, particularly through the participation of farmers, young people, women and businesses.
The agreement also comes against the backdrop of growing international interest in Africa's potato industry.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation's FAOSTAT database, Africa produced approximately 34.2 million tonnes of potatoes in 2024, representing 8.8 per cent of global production.
However, the continent's average yield of about 15.4 tonnes per harvested hectare remained below the global average of 22.9 tonnes.
The figures point to opportunities to improve productivity through better seeds, farming technologies, research and improved access to agricultural services.
The 13th World Potato Congress, which attracted more than 1,000 participants from over 62 countries, was the first edition to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Participants also called for stronger collaboration among African potato organisations, including the establishment of national potato councils in countries where they do not exist and exploring the possibility of a continental association.
Ms Mloge said AGCOT Centre viewed its role as bringing together government, investors and smallholder farmers to strengthen agricultural value chains.
"At AGCOT, we see our role as an honest facilitator: bringing public policy, private investment and smallholder farmers around the same table so that value chains work for everyone," she said.
She added that women and young people involved in potato production and trade needed better access to technology, markets and investment to build sustainable livelihoods.
The MoU will remain in force for five years, with the two councils required to develop annual implementation plans outlining activities, timelines, responsibilities and resources.
Progress will be reviewed jointly at least once a year, while implementation will be supported through cost-sharing arrangements, contributions in kind and possible funding from development partners and investors.
The councils plan to begin preparing their first joint work plan in November 2026.
Beyond increasing production, the broader objective is to build a more competitive regional potato industry in which farmers can access reliable seeds, reach larger markets and secure greater value from their produce.